Schizophrenia is a serious illness affecting thoughts, feelings and behaviour. It
is a type of psychosis. Some people wrongly refer to schizophrenia as having a ‘split
personality’ like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

How common is it?

It rarely occurs before puberty and usually begins in the late teenage years. About
1 in 100 people will suffer from schizophrenia over their lifetime.

How do I know if I have ‘schizophrenia’?

When a person suffers from schizophrenia, they may have the difficulties described
below as ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ symptoms. Some difficulties may seem to start suddenly,
whereas others may creep in more gradually. You may have some or most of the following
symptoms. Usually people have a few or most symptoms for sometime (at least months)
before they are diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Positive symptoms

This does not mean they are ‘good’ symptoms. They mean unusual thoughts or experiences
as described below. They may feel really distressing. They can feel totally real
to you and it may seem to you that other people don’t understand or aren’t taking
you seriously.

Unusual beliefs or delusions: These are beliefs which seem obviously untrue to others,
but not to you. For example, when you are ill, you might strongly believe that there
is a plot to harm you, you are being spied on through the TV or being taken over
by aliens. These beliefs can obviously make you feel afraid or strange

Muddled thinking or thought disorder is when it is difficult to think straight. Sometimes
it may feel that others do not understand what you are trying to say. Your ideas
may feel jumbled up, but it is more than being muddled or confused

Unusual experiences called hallucinations are when you see, hear, smell or feel something
that isn’t really there, although you are convinced that it is. ‘Hearing voices’
is one of the most common hallucinations. This can be very frightening. It can make
you believe that you are being ‘watched’ or ‘picked on’. Your friends or family may
say that you are acting ‘strangely’. They may say that they hear you talking or laughing
to ‘yourself’. Sometimes this is the only symptom you experience which makes it unlikely
to be schizophrenia

Negative symptoms

This does not mean they are ‘bad’ symptoms, just that they are about ‘not doing’
something. You may feel tired, not interested and wanting to do normal things like:

Go to school

Play sports

See friends

Get washed and dressed

Do hobbies you used to enjoy

Other symptoms

You may become frustrated and angry, especially towards your own friends or family

Some people try to smoke or drink alcohol to feel better, but this tends to make
things worse

You may find the symptoms so distressing that you feel like harming yourself

What causes schizophrenia?

This is still not fully understood. There are a number of reasons that can make a
person more likely to develop schizophrenia or a similar psychotic illness.

There may be chemical imbalances in the brain

Having a parent or close relative suffering from schizophrenia can increase the chance
of developing similar illness

Stress or extreme life events (like someone close dying)

Using drugs like cannabis, LSD, ecstasy and speed (amphetamine)

What is the treatment for schizophrenia?

Medications called ‘antipsychotics’ are an important part of treatment and often
need to be taken for a long time in order to stay well. As with medication of any
kind, there may be side-effects. The doctor will be able to advise you on what they
are and what can be done to help.

If you are taking drugs like cannabis, it is very important that you stop.

Other forms of treatment are also important. Both you and your family will need help
to understand the condition, to cope successfully, and to prevent the illness coming
back. Support is often needed to rebuild your confidence to continue with school,
college or work.

You may be referred to a specialist ‘Early Intervention Service’ (EIS) if available
locally. This is a team of specialists who help young people with psychosis. You
also may at some point need treatment in hospital or in a specialist inpatient service.

Talking treatments can be helpful, but are usually offered in addition to medication.

What will happen in the future?

Schizophrenia is a chronic illness, which means even if you get better; it might
come back later on. This can happen if you stop taking your medication too soon -
so it’s really important to follow the advice given to you by your doctor.

Your Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) or EIS team will also help
you and your family identify ways to help prevent the illness coming back (like following
a healthy lifestyle and learning to cope with stress).

Most young people will recover from their illness with the right help and treatment.
Earlier treatment leads to better recovery and increases the chances of finishing
school or college, getting a job and getting on with life.

How do I get help?

It is important to speak to someone you trust and possibly knows you well, like your
GP / teacher. They may not believe or agree with your strange beliefs or experiences,
but can still help you by listening and getting the right help for you

It is also possible that your family or teachers first seek help for you as you may
not notice there is a problem, and therefore find it difficult to accept that there
is something wrong

Often you will be asked to get specialist help. A member or psychiatrist from a CAMHS
may need to see you to understand and assess your difficulties before treating the
illness

Useful Websites:

CALL - Community Advice & Listening Line

Mental health helpline for Wales offering a confidential listening and support service.